Books About First Crushes

The Best First Crushes Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about first crushes? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About First Crushes

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Home for the Holidays

By Heather Vogel Frederick · Book #5 in the The Mother-Daughter Book Club series

Holiday plans unravel as friends face unexpected challenges. Can they find their festive spirit?

352 pages· 83,488 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 5,530 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a whirlwind of holiday chaos, five friends from a mother-daughter book club face unexpected challenges. Megan and Becca's cruise turns competitive over a charming captain's son, while Cassidy's family trip to California stirs homesickness. Emma and Jess's sledding accident derails their plans. As blizzards and squabbles threaten their festive cheer, will they rediscover the magic of the season before New Year's Eve?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2024

Bye Forever, I Guess

By Jodi Meadows

A gamer girl navigates friendship and identity after a mysterious text from a classmate.

288 pages· 52,918 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,163 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Ingrid leads a double life: a charity case at school, a gaming star online. When she stands up to her friend Rachel, her world crumbles—until a wrong-number text from a mystery boy changes everything. As 'Stitches,' she bonds with 'Traveler,' but suspects he might be a popular classmate. Can Ingrid risk opening up to someone who might not be who she thinks? Is real friendship just a fantasy? Dive into a tale of middle-school drama, gaming, and the quest for genuine connection.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Shake It Off

By Suzanne Nelson · Book #8 in the Wish series

Can Bria's milkshakes save the farm and help her fit in?

272 pages· 45,560 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 740 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Bria Muller dreads her summer on a dairy farm, far from her city life. Her only solace is crafting extravagant milkshakes, but her creations aren't winning over the locals. With the farm's future at risk, Bria's shakes might be the key to saving it. As she navigates family dynamics and a budding friendship with Gabe, her cousins' charming friend, Bria must discover if her sweet concoctions can bridge the gap between city and country life. Will she find her place and help save the farm before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2008

Step Fourth, Mallory!

By Laurie Friedman, Jennifer Kalis (Illustrator) · Book #10 in the Mallory McDonald series

Mallory's perfect school year unravels with a crush and a teacher clash.

176 pages· 17,637 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 256 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Mallory's fourth-grade year starts with promise: new shoes, a new computer, and her best friend Mary Ann in her class. But when both girls fall for the same boy, Mallory feels sidelined. To make matters worse, she clashes with her teacher, Mr. Knight. Can Mallory navigate friendship and school challenges to find her footing again?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

We Still Belong

By Christine Day

A girl's plans unravel, leading her to discover her true place in her community.

American Indian Youth Literature Award (2024)

256 pages· 37,824 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,359 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Wesley faces a challenging Indigenous Peoples’ Day when her poem's reception and tribal enrollment issues leave her questioning her identity. As her plans for the school dance falter, she finds solace and strength at an intertribal powwow. With her family's support, Wesley embarks on a journey to embrace her unique place within her Native community. Will she find the courage to express herself and feel truly connected? Discover how Wesley navigates cultural identity and belonging in this heartfelt tale.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Besties Find Their Groove

By Kayla Miller, Jeffrey Canino, Kristina Luu (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Besties series

Two friends face fashion dilemmas and date pressures before the school dance.

208 pages· 10,317 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,902 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Beth and Chanda are determined to make their first school dance unforgettable. As they hunt for the perfect dresses, they face unexpected challenges, including the pressure to find dates. With their friendship tested, can they find their groove and shine on the dance floor? This lively graphic novel explores the ups and downs of personal style and the power of friendship.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Alexis Cupcake Crush

By Coco Simon · Book #28 in the Cupcake Diaries series

Can cupcakes be healthy? Alexis juggles science fair dreams and a rocky love life.

160 pages· 24,378 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 311 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Alexis, a science enthusiast, aims to prove cupcakes are healthy for the science fair. But her focus wavers when she sees her crush with another girl. Meanwhile, she and her friends face a daunting task: creating rock and roll cupcakes for Martine Donay's sweet sixteen, a girl known for her sour demeanor. Will Alexis's cupcake experiment win the fair, or will her heart's distractions lead to a recipe for disaster?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1235

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2018

Crush

By Svetlana Chmakova · Book #3 in the Berrybrook Middle School series

Can Jorge balance friendship expectations with his own desires when dynamics shift?

240 pages· 11,449 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 10,620 ratings

$13.00Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Jorge, a gentle giant with a tight-knit group of friends, faces a dilemma when the group's dynamics begin to change. His confidence wavers only around one particular girl, complicating his feelings further. As peer expectations clash with his own desires, Jorge must navigate the tricky waters of friendship and self-discovery. Will he find the courage to pursue what he truly wants, or will he succumb to the pressures around him? Dive into this engaging tale of adolescence, where every choice could redefine friendships and personal growth.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

Junior High Drama

By Louise Simonson, Sumin Cho (Illustrator) · Junior High Drama series

Middle school drama unfolds with secrets, parties, and self-discovery. Can they survive?

240 pages· 2,289 words· Est. 26 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,414 ratings

$14.95Save 6%

Other

Summary: At Memorial Middle School, drama is everywhere. Lucia dreads a boy-girl party, Kamilla battles self-doubt to audition for the play, and Allie hides a secret. Can they navigate the chaos of junior high and find their way? Discover how these students face challenges, friendships, and the inevitable drama that comes with growing up. Will they emerge stronger, or will the pressures of middle school overwhelm them? Dive into a world where every hallway whisper and classroom conflict shapes their journey.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

A Batch Made in Heaven

By Suzanne Nelson · Book #9 in the Wish series

A secretive bakery, a forbidden kitchen, and a competition that could change everything.

272 pages· 43,148 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 388 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Mina's dream of becoming a baker is threatened when Flynn, the owner's son, bars her from the bakery's secretive kitchen. Without access, she can't compete in the cookie contest that could fund her father's restaurant dream. What is Flynn hiding, and can Mina uncover the truth before her plans crumble? With family and future at stake, Mina must navigate secrets and ambitions in a race against time.

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